The Theology of Worship Music – Everlasting God by Brenton Brown and Ken Riley

The Theology of Worship Music – Everlasting God

by Brenton Brown and Ken Riley

Worship ministry is prophetic in nature, meaning it is intended to edify, exhort, and comfort those who engage in it. This song is certainly one that fills the bill where exhortation is concerned.

Everlasting God has been a staple among worshiping churches for a decade, and still counting. Its theological content is rock solid, and the worshipper is encouraged by declaring dependence on our God.

Isaiah declared the truth about God being One who empowers those that wait (serve) Him. He is the Everlasting God.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

The Hebrew words used for “Everlasting God” is “El Olam,” which means, “The Ancient God.” The word “ancient” does not mean old and decrepit as our Western culture has come to understand it. The word “olam” means, “before time, or timeless,” hence, Everlasting God. He is not old; He is outside of time. Before time began, He was. After time ends, He will still be!

The first time I remember hearing Isaiah 40:31 was at Freshmen Orientation at Samford University in the Summer of 1977. I was raised in church and was a Believer, but I had never heard anything regarding God’s desire to strengthen me as described in this verse. It was a turning point in my walk with the Lord. I realized that if I would serve Him, He would strengthen me for the task. The good news is, He still does.

Michael Tharpe, from IHOP-KC, introduced this song to me during a worship workshop. I used it often from that point to lead our congregation in declaring the truth about who God is, and who He wants to be in us.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!

The Theology of Worship Music – How He Loves by John Mark McMillan

The Theology of Worship Music – How He Loves

by John Mark McMillan

How He Loves, by John Mark McMillan, has been on the CCLI Top 25 for a long time. It is a song that gives voice to the heart-cry of many worshipping Believers. His creative imagery, while not expressly Biblical, allows us to see the effect of God’s working in our life. Phrases like “loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His glory” brings both a sight and sound experience.

Many have altered one phrase in the original lyric because they can’t seem to imagine God giving a “sloppy wet kiss.” This phrase has been changed to “unforeseen” by those that want a little more dignified view of God. Personally, I’m ok with either. God’s not afraid to get messy!

There are several references to scripture used in the song. The opening line is a statement made about our God taken from the dialog God had with Moses on the mountain while giving the Ten Commandments. God spoke, “The Lord, your God, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:5)

The phrase about being God’s portion is mostly Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:9), but I think it is applicable to the Believer as well.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The mention of Jesus being our “prize” is a little misstated. I know it fit the rhyme scheme, but we do not “win” Jesus. The prize mentioned in the New Testament is the reward we receive in Heaven based on our works here on earth. I know that is a little specific, but too many try to earn their way into Heaven, and it is just not possible. We receive Jesus through grace alone.

The chorus of this song cannot be sung enough. If we could ever get a revelation of just how much God loves us it would change us forever. So, sing this song often; “sloppy wet kiss” and all. We need to declare the love of the Father over ourselves, and others worshipping with us. “He loves us!”

The Theology of Worship Music – Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman and Beth Redman

The Theology of Worship Music – Blessed Be Your Name

by Matt Redman and Beth Redman

Matt Redman has been writing songs for many years, with many of those becoming staples in Christian worship. Blessed Be Your Name is one of those songs.

The lyrics reflect the state of being in which we find ourselves, abundance vs. desert place and sunshiny days vs. dark suffering, and the offers the response that Believers should give: Thanksgiving to God.

Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:18-21 (ESV) … but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This song flies in the face of the name-it-and-claim-it hyper-faith segment of Christians. I have attended churches that have had “blessings” as the focus of Christ’s sacrifice. Even though I do not agree with everything they teach, I also do not find myself in the camp of those that wallow in poverty as a sign of their Christian humility. I just agree with what Paul wrote: “I am content in any situation.”

That being said, I also agree with Paul when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I can overcome circumstances that attempt to hinder the purposes of God.

I believe that God wants to bless us. It has nothing to do with a luxury automobile or designer clothing. It has everything to do with God supplying the needs that I encounter pursuing His plan for my life.

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I take issue with the use of the passage from Job that is featured in the bridge of the song. It is very clear from the previous verses in Job chapter one that God was not the one that took from Job. It was satan. Job also had not yet gotten the revelation that he had by the end of the Book of Job concerning God’s blessing. This is a topic that needs more explanation than can be given in a short blog post. Perhaps later.

When I used the song in times of worship I changed the lyrics to the bridge. We sang: “I live to give You praise”, instead of “You give and take away.”

Please know that if you sing the original lyrics I do not think less of you. If I’m in a service and they use this song I do not walk out in protest. It is just something that I have issue with because of the extreme teaching of the poverty preachers I encountered growing up.

So, sing the song. Give praise to God. Bless the name of the Lord. He is worthy of our praise.

The Theology of Worship Music – Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes

The Theology of Worship Music – Here I Am to Worship

by Tim Hughes

If you listen to most people, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman wrote just about every worship song being sung today. That is not the case at all, but people usually don’t take time to find out who really wrote a song. They just know who they heard perform it first. Today’s song is one of those songs.

Here I Am to Worship was written by Tim Hughes. He is not well known, but his music is being sung around the world. This song has a clear Christ-centered focus. It brings the worshipper before the throne of God where he is then encouraged to “bow down, and say that You’re my God.” It is one of my favorites.

The lyric is that of the Bride (the Church) singing to her Bridegroom (Jesus). Verse one begins with the picture John paints for us in his gospel, of Jesus, the Light, coming to a dark world to bring hope.

John 1:1-5 (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV) To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Verse two speaks of the King of Kings, Jesus, humbling Himself by taking on the form of man so He could become the Redemption for mankind.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

The chorus is our response to what was shared in the verses of the song. When we realize who Jesus is, and what He has done for us, our only response is to fall down and worship Him. Tim Hughes uses language from the Song of Solomon to tell the Lover of Our Soul what we think of Him.

Song of Songs 5:16 (ESV) His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

When we encounter the bridge of the song it causes the worshipper to consider the great cost Jesus paid on the cross, and the reason He went there was because of our sin. This is not to bring condemnation, but instead is to be a reminder that we are forever grateful for the price paid for our freedom.

If you haven’t sung Here I Am to Worship in a while, pull it out. Use it often. It is a great hymn of remembrance for the Body of Christ.

The Theology of Worship Music – Holy Spirit by Bryan and Katie Torwalt

The Theology of Worship Music – Holy Spirit

by Bryan Torwalt and Katie Torwalt

The Torwalts are relatively new to the worship music scene. Holy Spirit is one of the first songs of theirs that I heard. It quickly became popular with worshippers because the focus is clearly on the Lord.

The lyric does not quote, or even paraphrase, scripture but the message is clearly reflected in scripture. The words are simple utterances of a Believer to their God. Moses said similar words found in verse one when he conversed with God in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.

Exodus 33:13-15 (ESV) Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.

The phrase “living hope” is speaking of the Spirit of Christ living in us.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV) To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Verse two describes further the relationship between the Bridegroom and His Bride, the Church.

Psalm 34:8 (ESV) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV) to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

The bridge of the song speaks to the idea that it is the worshipper’s view of God that increases when we begin to focus on Him. God cannot increase. He already fills the earth. He is Omnipresent. This brings us to the chorus.

The chorus to the song Holy Spirit has the worshipper asking the Holy Spirit to “flood this place, fill the atmosphere.” That concept, while very common in song, is not New Testament in its origin. First of all, God cannot fill space that He is already in! Also, the prayer in the chorus for God to “overwhelm” is a cry of spirit to Spirit; our spirit yearning for more of God’s Spirit to shine forth through our life. The Holy Spirit was given to empower us to be witnesses, not so we could have “holy moments” in worship.

There is a fundamental difference in Old Testament and New Testament experiences of the Holy Spirit. In the OT, the activity of the Holy Spirit was external. Examples are the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire that led Israel through the wilderness. Another is the “glory cloud” that filled Solomon’s temple. This is the experience cited most often by worship leaders. People are seeking another outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

The problem is that the activity of the Holy Spirit changed after Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was sent to abide in the Believer. Now the work done by the Holy Spirit is internal. We no longer seek after glory clouds, but instead seek after a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. The pursuit for the Believer is to more fully yield our spirit to The Spirit of God in us. That should become the heart-cry of the Believer.

I know this will be misunderstood. It is difficult to fully express this in a brief blog post. Perhaps I can address it in more detail at a later time. Until then, I welcome your comments or questions.